Shellshock

Yesterday, my boss asked me if I had my exam results yet. And I realized the release date was pretty close.

Then I got a knot in my stomach. And even though the results aren't supposed to be released until tomorrow, I checked a couple times throughout the day.

And again when I got home from work. It took forever for the page to load. That did not help.

57%.

That's a fail. 65% is the pass mark.

To admit I failed is a very big deal. I never failed at anything until I started taking these courses (well, I had failed at studying the arts, and at being married. But that's different). I'm one of those crazy high-achiever people who hardly had to do anything to be successful (that was years ago, really, I should move on). The work itself comes naturally. I chose this field because I'm good at it (supposedly).

I'm a little bit numb right now. I really thought that I had worked hard enough, planned my time sensibly and tried not to panic.

Tonight, I'm going to pet some yarn, read the new Interweave Knits (got it before it was released on newsstands, yay!) and have a glass (or several) of w(h)ine.

The good news: I can re-write. I'll check the schedule and sign up tomorrow. I will also save comparing my mark breakdown to the exam tomorrow. I've had enough disappointment for today.

Disaster averted

I've been working at attempting to control my rising panic about this course.

I've not come anywhere close to actually learning anything.

I skim the readings, listen to the audio lectures, and then cherry-pick through all the stuff, and so far (touch wood) have, somehow (I think the marker is exceedingly generous) managed to get sufficient marks.

And even though it seems like I'm doing a lot of studying, I don't think I'm actually absorbing anything.

I haven't submitted last week's assignment (for a fee of $20, plus GST, I can submit the first three assignments up to a week late. Yes, I will be writing a cheque for $63 shortly. Just like I do every time I take a course).

I thought that I had an assignment due this Wednesday (without the grace period) and that meant that somehow, in two evenings, I had to complete 40 multiple choice questions, two computer questions and several memos/case studies. In other words, two assignments.

Never mind that I haven't done the computer illustrations actually showing me how to use the software (but I've installed it. Small victories, people).

Just for kicks, I checked my calendar. Then confirmed on the web-site. Assignment four isn't due until May 14.

Whew! I'm going to do those illustrations now. With a glass of w(h)ine in my hand.

The fun never stops

It was an exciting day, here at Chez Peepee. All studying and knitting.

Punctuated by a trip to the grocery store, expressly to get cat food, but instead I came home with laundry soap and dryer sheets and these:

Oh, my. These are my new favourite snack.

I forgot the damn cat food. The boys are enjoying some fine dining tonight, on canned stuff (which I hate giving them - makes their breath stinky(er)).

Anyway, without anything complicated on my needles, and no desire to pick up any of the many unfinished projects around here (knitting and otherwise), I started a new sock.

J - these are yours, as requested. If I don't decide to keep them. I'm loving the plain back and patterned front. I read a couple lines during the stockingette part, pay attention to the 32 patterned stitches, get back to the stockingette and read some more. It's making all this internal auditing garbage a little bit more tolerable. Not entirely, though.

Pattern: Anniversary Socks by Ann Budd, in Favourite Socks (watch for errata - my copy must be a later edition, it seems OK. So far.)

Yarn: SandnesGarn Sisu, navy blue, two balls. Purchased at Ram Wools.

Pattern modifications so far: Leg is seven inches, not nine as instructed. I am playing with fire when it comes to the yardage.

And guess what! I didn't swatch. I have to do something to generate some excitement around here.

Be careful what you ask for

because you just might freaking get it.

In ways I never imagined.

I did get a pedicure this afternoon. I made the appointment for 5:15, thinking that the yard work would be done by then, and I would be settling back with a beer (Alexander Keith's, as domestic as it gets, hbacmama), some barbecue, and looking forward to an evening of knitting.

Well, no yard work was done, no wine stuff was done, and certainly no housework was done. The intended barbecue was stuffed into the oven for an hour and the veggies were microwaved.

I spent the entire day deeply and intensely involved in some serious "suggested readings" Oi. I understand, now, why people think being an accountant is boring. It's because accountants are bad writers.

Anyway, earlier in the week, I threatened to get a massage (which is a huge deal for me. I hate the idea of sitting there, while someone else touches me, and I can't knit!).

The featured special, at the shop close to my house was a "spa pedicure" for $20. I made my appointment, saying that I only wanted a "basic, garden variety" pedicure. Well, I placed my feet in the tub, settled down with my reading and... the seat began to vibrate.

So, I thought I would roll with it. Let the seat have its way with me, so to speak.

I could hardly walk, when I got out of the chair. Four hours later, and my back and left leg hurt even more.

What I was thinking of doing, when I suggested a massage, was going to see one of my many friends whose first initial is "D" and happens to be a registered massage therapist. D always has told me to not see her when I'm in pain. I should go when I am feeling good.

I am waiting to feel good. It's not happening. Now, where's that insurance card?

But it wasn't a complete waste of time. My toenails are a shocking shade of pink now. Did you expect anything less?

Big mistake. Huge!

On Tuesday, I was exhausted and knew that if I went home after work, I wouldn't leave. At the same time, I didn't want to miss knit night.

So, I went downtown and to kill some time, popped into a book shop.

That was a seriously bad move.

You see, the one thing I like to do more than knitting is read. I haven't read a novel since Christmas, and it's killing me. There are sooooo many new books that I am just desperate to get my hands on, and going into that shop was like eating a burger in front of a starving person. And this wasn't even a particularly good book shop, just the only new book shop that remains open downtown.

I managed to leave with just one book, and I read it, in its entirety, in the next hour and a half:

Things I Learned from Knitting...whether I wanted to or not, by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.*

It barely satisfied my craving. I cannot wait until this course is done, and I can read for fun again.

*Photo shamelessly swiped from Amazon.ca.

Sir Pukey McBarfsalot and his evil minion

This morning, running late, as usual, I ran into my bedroom to make the bed, and there was a present for me.

Ewww!

I left it and ran out the door. I ran to catch the bus (I don't want to break my streak - on time every day, three weeks and counting).

I'm washing all my bedding right now. Including the wool blankets. I hope there is no inadvertent felting.

Breaking out of my comfort zone

I've stated, many times, that I am no cook.

But, I really enjoy eating.

With a limited budget, can you see the conflict here?

I tend to eat out rarely, and when I do, it's either something super-cheap, or a real splurge.

At home, I have the same thing for breakfast, every day. Lunch is a salad and left-overs from the Sunday night casserole. Dinners are... grilled chicken and veggies, meatloaf and veggies, or pork chops and veggies.

I eat well, but it's rather limited.

I've gotten tired of tuna casserole, chicken and veggie stir-fry and spaghetti.

So, when a recipe appeared on a Ravelry group (what can't Ravelry provide?) that looked easy and interesting, I printed it out and took the bus to the shop.

It was the best meal I'd had in months, and I enjoyed it more with each container of left-overs. That was a week ago, and I made it again last night.

I present to you:

Enchiladas. Really damn good, even though I used flour tortillas instead of corn. And way less cheese than the recipe called for.

I'm going to try cooking new things more often. And maybe, if you are lucky, I will bring more than booze to the next potluck.